Sub, difinitive DB size Q & A

[ram4x4nut]

Hi Sub,

I've searched the boards and read many post about the DB size issue. As far as I can tell nothing has really been clearly stated on how to handle this.

Here is what I run into all the time. My HTPC will be be running for 1 - 2 weeks and teh DB will get huge, like 5GB or more. I know you have put some code in that "may" compact the database. I've tried everything and it never gets packed. No tray icon, no plugins, nothing but bare bones install and it still just grows. Not even a reboot of teh HTPC will pack it. The only sure fire way I have found is to go into config and click OK. Needless to say that isn't the most efficient way to do that, especially if a person is on holiday or otherwise away from the HTPC for long periods of time.

Is there a startup option that would pack the DB? If so then a reboot could be scheduled and the problem would be taken care of to a point. Is there any kind of plugin that can be added to sever all DB connections and pack it, then make sure everything gets restarted?

I love this software but this is starting to become a fairly significant problem.

Thanks,

T

[sub]

The problem happens because we use an MS Access database, which have an interesting behavior of only ever growing even if you delete data. This is just the way these databases work.

It is possible to shrink using various utilities such as JetComp.exe (included with GB-PVR), or MS Access itself, but these utilities can only work when there are no connections to the database.

The rate at which this file grows is mainly dictated by the EPG entries, since this is a huge amount of data. The 'complete epg reload' option will grow faster than increment updates. The other big factors are the number of channels, and the number of days of listings you keep.

If there is no recordings in progress, and none due to start in the next half and hour, then immediately after the automated EPG update GB-PVR will drop its database connections and try to run JetComp to compact the database. It does work, but there is a lot of things that can get in way. Things that can cause this to fail are, recordings in progress, recordings about to start, users browsing screens in GB-PVR, plugins that hold connections to the database, etc...

I have made some substantial changes to address this issue in the next release.

[Jim_]

http://forums.gbpvr.com/showpost.php?p=1...ostcount=7